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If you’re wondering whether your master electrician license can be used by another company under the rules of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), here’s how it really breaks down.
Under Texas Occupations Code § 1305.159, a company applying to become a licensed electrical contractor must either have a licensed master electrician under their roof or hire one.
But here’s the key part: if a master electrician doesn’t own more than half of that business, then they can only be assigned to one electrical contractor at a time. (If the master owns more than 50%, the law makes an exception.)
What that means for you:
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If your master license is being used by a company where you don’t hold majority ownership, you must be on that company’s payroll to be considered the “assigned master.”
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Using your license for a different business while being assigned elsewhere could trigger enforcement action by TDLR.
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If you own more than half the business, you can assign your license to it and also serve as the master. But if you’re planning to use your license across multiple firms where you don’t own the majority, that’s not allowed.
In short: you’re good using your master license for one company in Texas—just make sure it's the one you’re officially assigned to, either through ownership or payroll.
If anything changes—say you leave the company or take on a new one—you’ll need to update TDLR with a “Notice of Change” to stay compliant.
Source: TDLR
Electricians Compliance Guide
5.3. Master Electrician or Appliance Installer of Record
5.3.1. Can a licensed master electrician be the master of record for an electrical sign contractor’s license?
Yes, a master electrician may serve as “master of record” for an electrical sign contractor. See Section 1305.153 of the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act.
5.3.2. How many electrical contractor/sign contractor licenses may a Master Electrician or Master Sign Electrician be assigned to?
A Master Electrician's/Master Sign Electrician's license may be assigned to multiple companies if the Master Electrician/Master Sign Electrician owns more than 50% of the electrical contracting business.
If the Master Electrician/Master Sign Electrician does not own more than 50% of a company, his license may only be assigned to one electrical contractor, and he must be an employee of that company.
Examples:
- A Master Electrician/Master Sign Electrician desires to be assigned to Company A and B, but does not own more than 50% of either company. NOT CORRECT. He can only be assigned to one of the companies, and he must be an employee of that company.
- A Master Electrician/Master Sign Electrician desires to be assigned to company A and B. He owns more than 50% of company A, but he owns less than 50% of company B. He must also be an employee of company B. CORRECT
- A Master Electrician/Master Sign Electrician desires to be assigned to company A, B and C. He owns more than 50% of companies A and B, but 50% or less of company C. He must also be an employee of company C. CORRECT
5.3.3. How do I delete and add a new Master/Master Sign Electrician to my Electrical/Electrical Sign Contractor license?
Complete an ELC-LIC-004-E Contractor Notice of Change and Duplicate License Request form. All current and new information must be completed on the form. Have the new master/master sign electrician complete and sign in the box near the bottom of the form. The company owner of record must sign the bottom line of the form (owner's signature) authorizing the change to the new master/master sign electrician.
5.3.4. Do I have to be a Master Electrician, or employ a Master Electrician, to conduct business as a Texas Residential Appliance Installation Contractor?
No. To be a Residential Appliance Installation Contractor you must either obtain and assign your own Residential Appliance Installer license to your company, or employ a licensed Residential Appliance Installer to assign their license number to the company as the “appliance installer of record.”
5.3.5. Do I have to be a Master Electrician, or employ a Master Electrician, to conduct business as a Texas Electrical Contractor?
Yes. As an Electrical Contractor, you must either obtain and assign your own Master Electrician license to your company, or employ a licensed Master Electrician to assign their license number to the company as the “Master Electrician of Record.”
5.3.6. Do I have to be a Master Sign Electrician, or employ a Master Sign Electrician, to conduct business as a Texas Electrical Sign Contractor?
Yes. As an Electrical Sign Contractor, you must employ either a Master Sign Electrician or a Master Electrician. As the business owner, you may also be the license holder by assigning your own license to your company as the “Master Electrician of Record.”.
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